In speaking directly to the Christian mandate to house the homeless and in choosing to spend his own time in service to them, Pope Francis challenges us all (Christian and non-Christian alike) to examine what we are doing to shape the response of our communities and our nation in the face of this social issue. In Connecticut, and across the nation, we have much to be proud of, as we steadily advance toward our goal of ending homelessness. Indeed, there is good news to share: Connecticut’s 2015 annual census of homelessness, the Point-in-Time Count, showed the lowest number of homeless people since this annual count began in our state in 2007.
social services
Posted inHealth, Money, Politics
Malloy’s ‘across-the-board’ cuts target education, town aid and social services
To offset new taxes that have rankled business groups, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy proposed trimming up to 1.5 percent of discretionary spending in the new state budget. But the administration’s proposal shows the bulk of the cuts would likely fall on education, municipal aid, health care and social services. And a key legislator has warned that most of those areas could face even deeper cuts once the new fiscal year is underway.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Budget would cut health, social services, but less than gov’s plan
Updated at 6:40 a.m.
The budget deal between legislative leaders and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s administration calls for millions of dollars in cuts to programs that serve seniors, poor families, and people with developmental disabilities and mental illnesses. But compared to the deep reductions Malloy proposed in February, many of the cuts are relatively modest.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Competing sides ramp up tax debate
The opposing sides in the state tax debate each tried to grab center stage Monday as Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Democratic legislative leaders kicked off what many expect to be their most contentious round of budget negotiations yet.
Posted inMoney, Politics
State budget stakes are huge as tax filing deadline nears
State officials always watch closely as income tax receipts pour into Connecticut’s coffers at the April 15 deadline. But with a lingering deficit this year, huge social service cuts and tax hikes already proposed for next year — and a costly transportation initiative likely to require major funding — the stakes rarely have been higher.
Posted inHealth, Money, Politics
House Democrats step off on long, difficult road to a state budget
Majority Democrats in the House of Representatives tried Tuesday afternoon to get their arms around the daunting deficits facing state finances. But after two hours behind closed doors, they left still trying.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Barnes tells advocates for poor, kids: Brace for lean budget
Benjamin Barnes, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s budget director, warned advocates for children, the poor and other disadvantage citizens to brace for lean funding when the administration releases its next budget in two weeks.
Posted inEducation, Health, Money, Politics
Malloy’s budget cuts again hit social services, universities, courts
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy unveiled more than $31.5 million in spending cuts Friday in his second round of emergency budget reductions, with social services, public colleges and universities and state court system again taking the heaviest hits. A shortfall of at least $89 million remains to be addressed.
Posted inEducation, Health, Money, Politics
Legislators delve into deficit, including its sudden appearance
The legislature’s two budget-writing panels grilled Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s fiscal staff Friday about the new state deficit – and the administration’s latest cuts to reduce it. Republican legislators focused, as expected, on why the $99 million shortfall Malloy reported last week wasn’t acknowledged before Election Day.
Posted inEducation, Health, Money, Politics
Budget panel fills Malloy’s gap, boosts social services
One week after a $70 million hole was uncovered in Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s budget proposal for 2014-15, the legislature’s Appropriations Committee is set to make revisions increasing spending for social services, while using surplus funds to close the budget gap.
Posted inEducation, Health, Money, Politics
Nonprofits to Malloy: Less $ for rebates, more for CT’s needy
Connecticut’s community service agencies are asking the governor to reduce his proposed tax rebate and instead dedicate about one-third of that money to services for the most vulnerable.
